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Politics and press news
Veto will cost UK influence – Embassy 35
Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to veto a summit deal aimed at saving the euro is likely to leave Britain with less influence...
Green attachés give COP17 thumbs up – Embassy 35
Members of the Green Embassy Network – London’s loose affiliation of green attachés and facilities managers who are aspiring to reduce...
Escalation fears as UK closes embassy – Embassy 35
Britain has downgraded its diplomatic ties with Iran to the lowest level, ordering the closure of the Embassy and the expulsion of its...
Bilaterialism is back – Embassy 34
Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced a major drive towards enhancing Britain’s bilateral relations, reversing the policies...
MPs to grill EU foreign policy chief – Embassy 34
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs will give evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee for the first time since assuming...
Coalition foreign policy ‘harms UK’ – Embassy 33
A majority of the British public thinks the Coalition Government’s foreign policy has damaged the UK’s image abroad, according...
Multiple crises test FCO – Embassy 31
Nearly a fifth of all Foreign Office staff had to be temporarily redeployed as Britain’s stretched diplomatic service responded to...
Reverse World Service cuts – MPs – Embassy 31
Funding for the BBC World Service should be protected and budget cuts reversed to preserve its global reputation, the Foreign Affairs...
FCO boosts counter-piracy funds – Embassy 31
The UK Foreign Secretary recently announced a £6 million injection of funding to improve maritime surveillance of pirates in the Indian...
Envoys divided over WikiLeaks fallout – Embassy 29
The likely impact of the unauthorised release of secret diplomatic cables by the WikiLeaks website...
Europe House opening – Embassy 29
Ambassadors, cabinet ministers and EU luminaries gathered at 32 Smith Square for the historic opening of Europe...
Historic Pope Visit – Embassy 28
The first State Visit of the Pope to London, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, marks a new phase in diplomatic relations with Britain...
A new bi-polar world? – Embassy 27 – July 2010
A survey of top posts conducted among London’s diplomats reveals the return of a bi-polar world – but this time with China...
FCO means business – Embassy 27 – July 2010
A trade expert has been appointed the most senior official at the Foreign Office, reinforcing Prime Minister David Cameron’s...
Candid Cameron – Embassy 27 – July 2010
Foreign Secretary William Hague promised a “distinctly different” British foreign policy and on his recent global tour...
Meet the lean, mean FAC team – Embassy 27 – July 2010
The Foreign Office will be put through its paces by a team of tough-minded backbench members of parliament...
‘Diplomat’ to head committee – Embassy 26 – June 2010
Richard Ottaway MP, a “diplomatic” Tory backbencher, has been voted in as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee...
Coalition foreign policy “more effective” – Embassy 26 – June 2010
Diplomats have given the foreign policy of the Con-Dem coalition a cautious vote of confidence, saying outcomes...
FCO fights for resources – Embassy 26 – June 2010
Officials at the Foreign Office are bracing themselves for a tussle over resources, following the emergency budget...
APPGs announced in July – Embassy 26 – June 2010
The reshuffle of the All Party Parliamentary Country Groups will be announced at the end of July. The country groups...
FCO team reflects nuanced foreign policy – Embassy 25 – May 2010
The new team of ministers at the Foreign Office points to a the more nuanced foreign policy of the Con-Lib coalition government...
More ministers, please – Embassy 25 – May 2010
The Foreign Affairs Select Committee has recommended that the new government taking office in May should increase the size...
Pope memo envoy faces sack – Embassy 25 – May 2010
The diplomat at the centre of the storm over the Foreign Office memo mocking the Pope has been suspended and faces a disciplinary...
Foreign policy differences – Embassy 25 – May 2010
Diplomats will be pleased with the increased Lib Dem influence on foreign policy, with Deputy Prime Minister scoring the highest...
Embassies for hire to plug funding gap – Embassy 24 – April 2010
The cash-strapped Foreign Office has found novel ways to meet its £135m funding shortfall, including the hiring out of its prestige...
‘Name and shame’ diplomatic servant abusers – Embassy 24 –
April 2010
Under a Conservative administration, foreign diplomats in London who mistreat their servants could face having their embassies...
Europe minister makes history – Embassy 24 – April 2010
In a victory for gay rights, Minister for Europe Chris Bryant and his partner Jared Cranney tied the knot in Parliament...
FCO reduces its carbon footprint – Embassy 23 – March 2010
Foreign Office staff have been asked to fly economy class as part of the FCO’s bid to reduce its carbon footprint...
Embassy protesters jailed – Embassy 23 – March 2010
Twenty-two people who pleaded guilty to violent protests outside the Israeli Embassy have have been jailed...
Afghan summit boosts resolve – Embassy 22 – January 2010
London's diplomats were satisfied with the outcome of the Afghanistan Conference at which a military strategy, underpinned...
A tale of two trees – Embassy 21 – December 2009
Two very different embassy Christmas trees have brought a message of peace and reconciliation to London this festive season...
Paradise lost? – Embassy 21 – December 2009
High Commissioner Farah Faizal says the leaders meeting at Copenhagen have it in...
Growing and greener – Embassy 21 – December 2009
Chinese Ambassador Fu Ying says technology holds the key to cleaner development in the world's biggest developing country
In it together – Embassy 21 – December 2009
Jock Whittlesey, Environment, Science, Technology and Health Counsellor at US Embassy London reports from Copenhagen...
Cut in perks due at FCO – Embassy 21 – December 2009
British diplomats will have to tighten their belts in future as Chancellor Alistair Darling imposed swingeing cuts on the FCO...
Plans set for Afghan meeting – Embassy 21 – December 2009
Preparations at the FCO's Protocol Department are underway for a 68-nation conference on the future of Afghanistan...
Female envoys toast woman in top EU job – Embassy 20 – November 2009
Women diplomats in London are celebrating the surprise appointment of Britain’s Baroness Ashton as the EU’s High Representative...
Profile of Baroness Ashton
Revisiting the revolutions – Embassy 20 – November 2009
In the season marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Foreign Office and embassies across London have been hosting...
Frozen moments – Embassy 20 – November 2009
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a glistening ice wall was erected overnight outside...
Europe minister role ‘downgraded’ – Embassy 19 – October 2009
The position of Europe Minister has been handed to Chris Bryant, in a move that political commentators say downgrades...
Foreign Office braced for cutbacks – Embassy 19 – October 2009
The Foreign Office plans to use more local staff at its posts and will be cutting back on expensive new embassy buildings...
British embassy worker jailed – Embassy 19 – October 2009
Hossein Rassam, a locally employed political advisor at the British Embassy who was arrested and tried for harming national security...
FCO official fined for outburst Embassy 19 – October 2009
A Foreign Office official has been fined £350 after being found guilty of racially aggravated harassment.
Clean sweep at the FCO – Embassy 18 – Julyt/August 2009
The unexpected departure of Lord Malloch Brown has completed the thorough overhaul of the ministerial team at the Foreign Office...
Uighurs protest outside Chinese Embassy – Embassy 18 –
Julyt/August 2009
The Chinese Embassy was recently the scene of a pro-Uighur demonstration in which around 100 protesters demanded a UN...
Embassy analyst freed – Embassy 18 – Julyt/August 2009
The remaining British Embassy worker being held in Iran on suspicion of subversive activities has been released on bail...
Reshuffle hits Foreign Office – Embassy 17 – June 2009
Gordon Brown has appointed veteran MEP and social justice campaigner Glenys Kinnock to take over as Europe Minister...
Muslim Ambassadors praise Obama – Embassy 17 – June 2009
Barack Obama’s landmark speech to the Muslim world in Cairo has been warmly received by Muslim heads of mission in London...
FCO backtracks on gagging of ex-envoys – Embassy 17 – June 2009
The Foreign Office has abandoned a Diplomatic Service Regulation issued in 2006, which imposed a lifelong obligation on ex-diplomats...
Flowers laid to mark Tiananmen anniversary – Embassy 17 – June 2009
Survivors of the Tiananmen Square massacre laid flowers outside the Chinese Embassy to mark the 20th anniversary of the bloodshed...
Turkish Embassy slams racist leaflet – Embassy 17 – June 2009
The Turkish Embassy has complained to the FCO over a British National Party election campaign leaflet which claims the UK...
Israeli poster stirs anger – Embassy 17 – June 2009
The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and the Syrian Embassy have demanded the removal of Israeli Tourist Office posters...
Protests paralyse missions – Embassy 16 – May 2009
A rally of Tamil supporters outside India House caused major disruption to the High Commission last week...
FCO spends £48.9m on security – Embassy 16 – May 2009
The Foreign Office has revealed that £48.9m was spent last year on private security companies in Iraq and Afghanistan...
G20: What’s the deal? – Special report – March 2009
London’s diplomats have called on world leaders meeting at the G20 summit today to prioritise a tighter global financial regulatory system..
G20: Who wants what – Special report – March 2009
Now we know what the diplomats think, but here’s a summary of what the various G20 nations are hoping will be going into the mix...
FCO official suspended – Embassy 15 – February 2009
A senior British diplomat working on the South Asia desk has been suspended following his arrest for an alleged anti-Semitic outburst...
Whistleblower to sue FCO – Embassy 15 – February 2009
Derek Pasquill, sacked under the Official Secrets Act for leaking documents relating to the Foreign Office's...
FCO 'losing its value' – Lord Hurd – Embassy 15 – February 2009
Lord Hurd has warned that the Foreign Office risks losing its value as a "store of knowledge" due to its excessive management culture...
FCO squeezed in credit crunch – Embassy 15 – February 2009
MPs have warned that the Foreign Office is facing "serious financial pressures" due to the falling value of the pound...
Czechs take charge – Embassy 14 – January 2009
When Harold MacMillan was asked by a journalist what could upset his best-laid plans, Britain’s prime minister sagely replied...
Protest outside Greek Embassy – Embassy 13 – Nov/Dec 2008
Police arrested five demonstrators at a rally outside the Greek Embassy in London, protesting against the killing...
New Kosovo embassy opens – Embassy 13 – Nov/Dec 2008
Diplomats from Kosovo have opened their first mission in London. The embassy will be headed...
VIP visit – Shimon says – Embassy 13 – Nov/Dec 2008
Isreali President Shimon Peres visited Britain on a State Visit celebrating the 60th anniversary of Israel’s statehood...
VIP visit – Rice recital – Embassy 13 – Nov/Dec 2008
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ended her testimonial tour of the UK on a high note with a recital for...
Envoys back Barack – Embassy 12 – Oct 2008
Barack Obama has swept the boards as the London diplomatic corps’ choice for the next US President...
Electric election night – Embassy 12 – Oct 2008
There were scenes of wild jubilation at the American Embassy in London last night after Barack Obama was elected president...
Beijing and beyond – Embassy 11 – Sep 2008
With the successful conclusion of the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, Chinese Ambassador Fu Ying reflects on China’s Olympic legacies...
Uneasy peace deal – Embassy 10 – Jul/Aug 2008
EU ambassadors have given a cautious welcome to the French brokered truce between Georgia and Russia, bringing to a halt...
'Pay poor states to save forests' – Embassy 10 – Jul/Aug 2008
The Prince of Wales has urged rich nations to pay developing countries to preserve their rainforests...
UK and Russia clash over spy accusations – Embassy 10 – Jul/Aug 2008
Senior British security sources have warned that Russia is increasing its intelligence activities at the Embassy, which were draining resources...
Lift gag on ex-envoys, say MPs – Embassy 10 – Jul/Aug 2008
An “oppressive” gag on retired diplomats giving media interviews without approval must be scrapped, a Commons committee has said...
A lot of hot air? – Embassy 10 – Jul/Aug 2008
Europe's ground-breaking carbon trading scheme needs an overhaul to be effective, a panel of experts told an audience of economic attachés...
High hopes – Embassy 10 – Jul/Aug 2008
France has taken over the helm of an EU in stormy waters: the Irish rejected the Lisbon Treaty, world trade talks are flat-lining and a war broke out on Europe’s borders...
Mixed reaction over Treaty rejection – Embassy 9 – Jun 2008
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has warned against nations “sleepwalking into isolationism and protectionism” ...
Don't close down – Embassy 9 – Jun 2008
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has warned against nations “sleepwalking into isolationism and protectionism” ...
Ban urges action to combat threats – Embassy 9 – Jun 2008
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for more urgency in tackling threats that can destabilise the world...
Pakistan back in the club – Embassy 8 – May 2008
Pakistan's High Commissioner, Maleeha Lodhi, departed London on a high note with the news that the Commonwealth...
Envoy slams 'biased report' – Embassy 8 – May 2008
Cambodian Ambassador Hor Nambora has accused The Guardian of biased reporting for a recent article which claimed...
Ambassador hits out at media – Embassy 7 – Apr 2008
China’s Ambassador to the UK has warned that “misleading” reporting by Western media of the riots in Tibet risks alienating...
Sharp focus – Embassy 7 – Apr 2008
The Foreign Office has just emerged from a period of intense naval gazing, trying to figure out what its purpose is...
Entente formidable – Embassy 6 – Mar 2008
Talleyrand, one of the greatest French diplomats, once said, “Give me a good chef and I will bring you back a good treaty.”...
Ambassador slams UK media – Embassy 6 – Mar 2008
The Chinese Ambassador to Britain has attacked elements in the British media for their biased coverage of the recent pro-Tibetan riots in Lhasa...
Miliband urges radical change – Embassy 6 – Mar 2008
The Foreign Secretary has announced a radical change in the way the Foreign Office will be run.
Kosovo divides corps – Embassy 5 – Feb 2008
Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence has divided London's diplomats over whether the world's 194th state deserves recognition...
FCO prepares for reshuffle – Embassy 5 – Feb 2008
The Foreign Office is bracing itself for a reorganisation in April, in line with a new 'Strategic Framework'...
'Dignified' diplomacy, not boycott – says minister
– Embassy 5 – Feb 2008
Britain will conduct "dignified" negotiations with China about its human rights record and activities in Sudan in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics but will not boycott the games...
Ambassador launches ‘historic presidency’ – Embassy 4 – Jan 2008
Ambassador Iztok Mirosic launched his country’s presidency of the EU by saying it was a historic occasion as the first country formerly behind the Iron Curtain to take over the helm...
Shake-up at FCO – Embassy 4 – Jan 2008
More British diplomats are to be sent to the Middle East and South Asia to combat extremism, in a radical reallocation of FCO resources, the Foreign Secretary has announced...
Diplomats divided over whistleblower – Embassy 4 – Jan 2008
A civil servant at the Foreign Office has been cleared of breaching the Official Secrets Act – but diplomats in London are divided...
Hard-headed policy – Embassy 2 – Nov 2007
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for "hard-headed internationalism" in the first foreign policy speech of his premiership...
All set for CHOGM – Embassy 2 – Nov 2007
Ugandan consuls at the London High Commission have been working overtime issuing dozens of visas to diplomats from the 53-nation body heading to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting...
High drama in Kampala – Embassy 2 – Nov 2007
Transforming Commonwealth Societies to achieve political, economic and human development is the the theme of the upcoming CHOGM...
Shipping must go green – IMO SG – Embassy 2 – Nov 2007
The IMO can do more to improve safety and security at sea, while ensuring cleaner seas IMO Secretary General Efthimios Mitropoulos has said...
FCO in squeeze – Embassy 2 – Nov 2007
Tight funding for the FCO risks jeopardising diplomacy overseasand could hamper efforts to improve security at embassies, according to a recent report by lawmakers...
UKVisas security breech – Embassy 2 – Nov 2007
An investigation has found that the Foreign Office broke data protection rules by failing...
Milibands 'Second Wave' – Embassy 1 – Oct 2007
London's diplomatic corps has given a cautious thumbs up to Foreign Secretary David Miliband's conference speech on Labour's 'Second Wave' foreign policy...
FCO's new focus: Counter-radicalism – Embassy 1 – Oct 2007
The Foreign Office will concentrate on countering Muslim extremism with extra funding awarded in the Comprehensive Spending Review...
FCO gags retired diplomats – Embassy 1 – Oct 2007
Former British diplomats are up in arms over new FCO employment contracts, effectively banning any unauthorised expression of opinion after retirement...
Lord Speaker at the WDS – Embassy 1 – Oct 2007
Women envoys were privileged to be addressed by Britain's first-ever elected Lord Speaker, within the magnificent setting of the River Room in the Houses of Parliament...
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